Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Make every day count!

I know it's been awhile since my last blog post, but as I was watering my flowers in my window box this morning and smelling the fresh sweet air, it made me think about last summer and how different things were for me than on this beautiful summer morning.  




I won't go into all the depressing details about last summer, but I just had to write to let you know I am doing well! Last week I had my first checkup since I finished my treatments and a mammogram and I am happy to say both reports were good. I don't know if I am cancer free or in remission or really what I am right now, time will tell, but I do know one thing, I am so very grateful to be feeling as good and I am and getting back into life!

Everything looks better, smells better and tastes better. Hugs and kisses are more precious, phone calls and visits are sweeter. Yes, I am getting my hair back (not quite as fast and as thick as I was hoping) and I even have eyelashes now. But more importantly, I feel stronger and more healthy than I have in a year. I have a little slower pace now, some days on purpose and some not. Some days I feel like I am in slow motion and others I have more energy. For the life of me I can't figure out what makes the difference.  

For the last few months, the thought just keeps coming to my mind, Make every day count! 

So that's what I intend to try to do. The things on my to do lists don't get crossed off as quickly as I would like, but that's ok for now. I do what I can and don't stress about it as much as I used to. I am trying to balance my life a little better. 

I want to spending more time enjoying the summer with my husband, kids, grand kids and friends, spend time at the cabin having BBQ's and roasting marshmallows. Walking and biking, watering and weeding my flowers and of course, sewing. It really is my therapy to create. I am enjoying just how beautiful my life is and how blessed I really am. Nothing like a cancer diagnosis to put things in perspective. 

I hope you will slow down a little too! Stop to enjoy the life you have been given, even if it is crazy and hard sometimes. I know it is! Stop to enjoy your kids that are home for summer, even if they may be driving you crazy and realize they grow up too fast, way too fast, they really do! Spend some time with your parents and grandparents. Take time to visit a friend. None of us really knows what tomorrow will bring. 

Don't get me wrong, I know there are quilts to make and fabric to design, yes, I am working on that too and loving it, every minute of it. It really is hard to balance it all, but I am so grateful that I am still here, feeling stronger and looking forward to much more of this beautiful life I have been given! 


I posted this picture on Instagram and Facebook a few weeks ago. It was the day of my last treatment and it was a huge milestone Celebration for me!!! In case you didn't see it, I wanted to blog to say THANKS to all of you that have been so kind, so thoughtful, supportive and encouraging!!! I could not have done it without you! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I am making brownies this afternoon and the buzzer just rang, MMMM, they smell good!    Better go get them out of the oven!

Just remember,
Make every day count!
Bonnie

51 comments:

  1. Thanks for the reminder Bonnie! Thank you for being such an example of grace through trial.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am so happy you are doing so much better. I love your creations, just waiting for new designs to come. Hugs to you, Bonnie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so happy to read that you're feeling better, feeling stronger and doing well. That's the best news ever.

    While reading your post, I remembered a poem...

    Life is mainly froth and bubble
    Two things stand like stone —
    Kindness in another’s trouble.
    Courage in your own.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful message. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SO happy to hear you are feeling better!!! Enjoy your summer, and fall, and winter and...........

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too am a breast cancer survivor. I recently found you, your daughter and other quilters on Instagram. You are such an inspiration..... I can hardly wait to see the posts each morning! Cancer gives us a new view of life. My mantra was "Be still and know that I am God".

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bonnie, bless your heart. I'll be praying as I remember to do so. You are so right. My husband gave that message at our son's funeral, to make each day count. Even through the grief I've been through, I often forget. Thank you for the reminder. May Jesus heal you completely, and may he being peace that surpasses all understand...and to your family. Take care.

    P.S.: You are such a beautiful lady!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So glad you are feeling better and savouring life (and brownies)!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so happy to hear you're doing well. I have been thinking about you and I'm happy to hear this update! xo

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you so much for the lovely blog post - great advice for sure - your flowers are so pretty! So happy to hear you are feeling better!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Enjoy your summer and family. We always need to count our blessings, Thanks for the reminder.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats on completing your treatments. Your future is looking much brighter!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for your reminder and you are so right. Beautiful picture of you! Have a wonderful summer with your family and friends.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Blessings to you through this wonderful summer. So happy to hear your good news and your happy attitude. A favorite family motto: Have a Grateful Heart. You do! I do! We do!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm so happy you are doing well. I hope God continues to bless you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. A beautil post with such a precious reminder for us all xx

    ReplyDelete
  17. So happy to read this Bonnie! Labor Day is the 2nd anniversary of my diagnosis and I am a little more than a year out of treatment. Everyday I "Choose Joy!" Xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm happy to hear that you're well and really hope you're cancer free and enjoying your life!

    ReplyDelete
  19. So great to hear this. Thank you for the lovely fabric you and a Camille create. I have been playing with some Miss Kate this week and just love it.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a cheerful post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I didn't know your story, only that you'd been absent from blogland. Thank you for sharing it in such a positive way. I hope you will soon get the news that you are cancer free and can face the future, one day at a time, with confidence and optimism and faith that you are healed.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So good to hear you are doing well and living each day counting your blessings! I have to still master it, but you are a strong person and by the looks of it you have a great family as a support system!! You and Camille inspire me all the time and every time I am using your fabrics they make me smile, I hope that makes you smile too!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Camille, today was the first time I've received a newsletter from you and decided to come and look around. I was so sorry to hear of your bout with cancer and will add you to the list of people who are on my prayer list, in the hope that you will soon receive the news that you are cancer free. I am a huge fan of your fabric lines and know that your daughter is the Camille to your Bonnie. The picture you posted today is one of a beautiful and healthy looking woman with a very becoming hairdo. Your fabrics are bright and cheery with happy colors and reflect the inner beauty that resides within the both of you. Hugs and best wishes for continued good health and long life, so that you may enjoy your great grandchildren when they arrive, just as we have been blessed to do.

    ReplyDelete
  24. i'm so happy for you! and thank you for the amazing perspective and reminder to make every day count. we take so much for granted when we really never know what might lie just beyond the bend in the road. i will count my many blessings today --- naming them one by one.

    ReplyDelete
  25. "Congratulations", I'm so truely happy for you that your treatments are finished. It's been 9 yrs and 8 mths since my diagnosis at 40 with a 6 yr old. I'm very thankful for every day that I get to spend with my now 15 yr old son and family. I've been checking your blog often, praying that your treatments are over and you're feeling well. Just take one day at a time, rest often and enjoy the little things in life. I also see many things differently now and deeper than before. Blessings, Toni Anne ;->

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am happy to hear that you are feeling better. I do hope that you are cancer free . Enjoy every precious moment . Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh Bonnie it is so great to her you are doing well!
    Been wondering . . . . . .
    Prayers+Hugs for continued wellness!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. So glad to hear that you are improving, and you are looking great!! I so enjoy what you and Camille come up with in fabric, and I am happy that you are still creating, and so happy that you are enjoying your family, your flowers, your creating time, and every moment!! I had a class with Camille in Las Vegas this last winter, and just wanted to let you know that she is a dear, sweet young woman. I can tell what kind of person you are through her! What a beautiful life you have created as a mother to wonderful children: God bless you!!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

    ReplyDelete
  29. Great advice and I am Happy to hear you are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am happy you are feeling better. It is important to give thanks. My brother in law finishes his treatments tomorrow. God is good!

    ReplyDelete
  31. So glad you are feeling better. Thanks for your comments about enjoying each day; it really is so important.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Thank you for a great post on appreciating each day! I'm so glad you are feeling so well; you look great!

    ReplyDelete
  33. oh you are an inspiration and don't we all need that message to get out there and make each day count. I hope you continue to be cancer free and beat this and you look wonderful. Take care
    Corrie:)

    ReplyDelete
  34. A lovely post! So glad you are feeling well. You look great.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Such a lovely positive post Bonnie. You are an amazing role model. God bless you. Xxx

    ReplyDelete
  36. Bonnie,
    So glad you are doing well. Love the picture - you look great! Along with so many others, I've been cheering you on across the miles as you approached this hurdle with grace and grit!! Happy 4th of July to you and your family, and here's to a great summer!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love this post, Bonnie! I need to make this as my motto! Thanks so much for your wonderful example!

    ReplyDelete
  38. So glad you are on your way Bonnie to feeling better! Have been fretting about you all winter.

    Kerry

    ReplyDelete
  39. I didnt know, was shocked to find out and grateful you are still here for me to wish the best to. Have always been a big fan and will always be.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I am thankful that you are stronger and have gotten a good report! I love your gentle reminder of how we need to take time to do the things that matter most in life....because we are not guarenteed tomorrow. And yes "sewing" is good therapy! Happy sewing sweet lady!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I am happy to hear you are done with treatments and feeling better all the time. I just had my 2nd run in with cancer this winter. Trust me I get it....this disease makes me appreciate what I have and realize how precious life really is. You and Camille are both beautiful ladies with a lot of combined talent. We all await each new line of fabric. I have the two of you to thank for my love of aqua and red. I even made a Swoon quilt out of your Bliss line of fabric in honor of you ladies. Enjoy the rest of your summer.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Treasure each day to it's fullest! So glad that you are feeling better. I recently lost my sister in February to Ovarian Cancer. She was a survivor for 18 years. Family is the most important gift that God gives us. Eat well, take care of yourself and find the time to focus on you! Looking forward to the beauty of your upcoming fabric lines!

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have been praying for you and I'm so glad to hear the wonderful news!

    ReplyDelete
  44. So thankful you are feeling better! This was a sweet post and wonderful encouragement and reminder! I enjoy reading your blog and am so thankful you have this past year behind you and much to look forward to!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Bonnie, So glad to hear that you are feeling better. Recently I have read of the amazing health benefits of eating Avocados in fighting breast cancer cells. I am discovering more and more that foods we eat and don't eat are so important to our health. I wanted to share that with you. Enjoy each day. Janita

    ReplyDelete
  46. Bonnie, I'm glad to hear you are doing great. I'm new to your blog and just wanted to tell you hi and my prayers are with you. I love your quilting along with your daughters quilting. You both have done a great job and are still doing. Keep getting better and keep on creating.
    Ramona

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wonderful update and wisdom. Thank you for sharing your hard fought for insights. Blessings to you, your family, and your care team.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Have been a fan of you and Camille for many years now. Love both of your blogs and inspiration. Looking forward to finally purchasing Miss Kate. I just need to get moving and accomplish some of these things! Your "sneak previews" of the next line with sailboats look adorable! Soooo very glad you are feeling better - love your positive outlook! Hope you are enjoying your summer!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.